Vector Laboratories
Glysite™ explorer in situ PLA glycan detection kit and Glysite™ explorer lectins
This novel kit is a fully integrated tool for the spatial detection of glycans proximal to a protein of interest in FFPE tissues, FFPE cell pellets, and fixed cells. This system integrates a curated panel of Vector’s Glysite™ Explorer Lectins with Navinci’s proprietary in situ Proximity Ligation Assay (isPLA). This provides a simple approach to understand glycan-protein proximity with a spatial context.
Picture on the right: Glysite™ Explorer isPLA Glycan Detection Kit (GEK-1000) with SNA Lectin (50x, GEK-1309) paired with a primary antibody against HER2 in BT474 FFPE Cell Pellet. Sample was co-stained with Hematoxylin QS.

Why choose this kit?
● Go beyond protein expression
Investigate the glycosylation status of proteins and orthogonally validate glycan-modified targets and biomarkers with this streamlined, easy-to-use,and reproducible approach. Researchers can now unlock a new dimension from their data.
● Insights from any sample
Compatible with various sample types, including FFPE tissues, FFPE cells, and fixed cells. Scientists can advance their understanding of protein glycosylation in disease biology, biomarker discovery, and translational studies.
● Plug into IHC workflow
Designed to fit into standard IHC and isPLA workflows and provides additional data from your samples.
Workflow
Schematic of Glysite™ Explorer in situ PLA Glycan Detection Kit. A. Lectin binds to target glycan and primary antibody binds to target protein. B. Oligo probes bind to primary antibody and lectin. C. When oligo probes are in proximity (~40 nm), ligation occurs. D. Amplification and detection produces a colored precipitate at the site of proximity. Created with BioRender.com.

Trusted technology
For over 45 years, Vector Laboratories has expertly manufactured high-quality lectins, ensuring batch-to-batch consistency and superior performance. Vector’s lectins are independently validated by the National Center for Functional Glycomics (NCFG) using glycan microarrays. NCFG profiling confirms the precise glycan binding specificity of each lectin and highlights the exceptional robustness and reproducibility that distinguishes Vector’s glycobiology products.
Developed in partnership with Navinci, Vector Labs’ Glysite™ Explorer in situ PLA Glycan Detection Kit provides a new and valuable tool for the detection and quantification of protein glycosylation in its native environment. This unique technology provides a spatially precise means of examining proximity between two biological targets. By utilizing oligo-labeled secondary probes, signal amplification can be achieved through Rolling Circle Amplification (RCA) which provides crisp puncta on cell and tissue samples that can be visualized when the targets are proximal.
Reagents
The Glysite™ Explorer in situ PLA Glycan Detection Kit (GEK-1000) provides all core reagents needed for the workflow. To complete the assay simply select at least one Glysite™ Explorer Lectin (and up to 10) and supply your mouse or rabbit primary antibody of choice. Additional ancillary reagents for this kit are available for purchase.
Ordering information
| Cat. no. | Description | Size |
|---|---|---|
| VEC-GEK-1000 | Glysite™ Explorer in situ PLA Glycan Detection Kit | 1 kit |
| VEC-GEK-1399 | Glysite™ Explorer AAL Lectin (50x) | 0,1 ml |
| VEC-GEK-1149 | Glysite™ Explorer ECL Lectin (50x) | 0,1 ml |
| VEC-GEK-1249 | Glysite™ Explorer GNL Lectin (50x) | 0,1 ml |
| VEC-GEK-1159 | Glysite™ Explorer Jacalin Lectin (50x) | 0,1 ml |
| VEC-GEK-1049 | Glysite™ Explorer LCA Lectin (50x) | 0,1 ml |
| VEC-GEK-1269 | Glysite™ Explorer MAL II Lectin (50x) | 0,1 ml |
| VEC-GEK-1119 | Glysite™ Explorer PHA-L Lectin (50x) | 0,1 ml |
| VEC-GEK-1309 | Glysite™ Explorer SNA Lectin (50x) | 0,1 ml |
| VEC-GEK-1359 | Glysite™ Explorer WFA Lectin (50x) | 0,1 ml |
| VEC-GEK-1029 | Glysite™ Explorer WGA Lectin (50x) | 0,1 ml |
Storage condition
For the Glysite™ Explorer in situ PLA Glycan Detection Kit, store Box 1 reagents at 4°C. Do not freeze. Store Box 2 reagents at -20°C. For Glysite™ Explorer Lectins, store reagents in original bottles at 4°C. Do not freeze.
Lectin specificity
| Lectin | Binding Motif (1) | Category |
|---|---|---|
| AAL Lectin | α-Fucose | Fucose |
| ECL Lectin | Terminal type 2 LacNAc, Terminal type 2 LacdiNAc | LacNAc |
| GNL Lectin | Terminal α1-3 or α1-6 mannose | Mannose |
| Jacalin Lectin | Core 1 and 3 O-glycans, 3-substituted GalNAcα | Core O-glycan |
| LCA Lectin | α1-6 fucose | Fucose |
| MAL II Lectin | α2-3-sialylated Galβ1-3GalNAc in O-glycans, 3' sulfated Galβ | Sialic Acid and Sulfation |
| PHA-L Lectin | β1-6 branched N-glycans, Binds tri- and tetraantennary | Complex N-glycan |
| SNA Lectin | α2-6 sialylated LacNAc, α2-6 sialylated LacdiNAc | Sialic Acid |
| WFA Lectin | Terminal GalNAcβ, Terminal GalNAcα, Terminal multiantennary LacNAc | GalNAc |
| WGA Lectin | Terminal GlcNAcβ, Terminal GlcNAcα, Terminal N-acetyl-containing glycans | GalNAc |
(1) Bohar D, et al. 2022. A Useful Guide to Lectin Binding: Machine-Learning Directed Annotation of 57 Unique Lectin Specificities. ACS Chemical Biology.
Additional ancillary reagents
| Cat. no. | Description | Size |
|---|---|---|
| VEC-H-3300-250 | Antigen Unmasking Solution, Citrate-Based | 250 ml |
| VEC-H-3301-250 | Antigen Unmasking Solution, Tris-Based | 250 ml |
| VEC-H-4000 | ImmEdge® Hydrophobic Barrier PAP Pen | 2-pen set |
| VEC-H-5600-60 | VectaMount® PT Permanent Mounting Medium | 60 ml |
| VEC-H-5700-60 | VectaMount® Express Mounting Medium | 60 ml |
| VEC-H-5501-60 | VectaMount® AQ Aqueous Mounting Medium | 60 ml |
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